Hold Yourself Accountable in the Workplace

Your boss and your company will hold you accountable for your workplace behavior and accomplishments. Go one better and hold yourself accountable.

• Perform your tasks to the best of your ability, completing them in a timely manner.
• Maintain a positive attitude daily.
• Adhere to a strict code of personal behavior.
• Keep skills up to date and learn new ones as required.
• Become an expert in your field.
• Use good judgment.
• Speak kindly and tactfully.

Taking responsibility for your actions and words will preserve your value to the boss and company. How will you hold yourself accountable?

Give Employers What They Want

In keeping with the theme of getting a job, let's take a look at what employers want. Employers want to hire dependable, enthusiastic people who will give a full day's work. Here are some tips to convince an employer you are the right person for the job:

• Maintain a record of dependability and good attendance at your current job.
• Be able to convey your assets and accomplishments within a few minutes.
• Match your skills to the employer's needs.
• Research the company and be prepared to discuss your findings during the interview.
• Demonstrate your willingness to try new things.
• Practice time management and organizational skills.
• Maintain a positive attitude and demonstrate your willingness to get along with others.
• If you working in a multi-generational workplace, mention your ability to get along with people of all ages.
• Take an active part in your self-development through training and updating skills.
• Join a professional organization in your field.

Push yourself to the top of the competition by showing the employer you are the right person to hire. What steps will you take?

Polish That Resume - Meet Employer Needs

The unemployment rate dipped slightly this week. Now might be a good time to dust off the resume and re-circulate it. Whether you are looking for a new job or hoping to snag a better one, you need to be able to bring value to the company in order to be considered for an interview.

Take a good look at your skills. What do you do best? What is the company looking for in a job candidate? Do you match the company's needs? You should concentrate your search where your skills match the employer's needs.

Think about your work history. Have you included all tasks you have completed that bring out your best talents and abilities? Did you receive any special recognition or awards? Were you promoted? How was your attendance and punctuality? Were you a team player? Can you work with little or no supervision?

By thinking about what employers want from their employees, you can better prepare a resume to fit those needs and perhaps score an interview.

Job Fairs and the Employment Search

I took several of my students to a job fair at a local university, which turned out to be a rewarding experience for these students. They handed out resumes and business cards and shook hands with employers. They received a few encouraging remarks and were asked to submit resumes or go on the companies' online site and fill out an application. Some even scheduled interviews. I received value input from employers that I can pass along to future students.

I sometimes hear people speak negatively of job fairs. Isn't it better, though, to get out and meet employers and other job seekers than to skip the opportunity? It only takes one contact to get that job.

Job fairs may not be high on your list during your employment search, but they should be. There is a lot to be said for personal contact and building a network. Even if you do not get an offer for an interview or are not asked to fill out an application, you are acticely looking for work. The more times you get out there, the more chances you have of making the right contact for you and landing a job.

Remember, job fairs can provide an opportunity to:

• Network with other professionals


• Meet other job seekers and trade job hunting strategies


• Meet employers face to face and submit a resume


• Put yourself out there in the employment arena.

Don't discount opportunities to find employment, especially in this tight job market. You must be persistent.

Job Search Tips

If you are searching for a job or thinking of switching jobs, begin by creating a few good lists.

• Make a list of everyone you know who can help you in your job search, including former bosses and coworkers, HR personnel, instructors, friends working in companies where you would like to work, and so forth.


• Write down your strengths, your skills, and your personal characteristics. Be sure to include transferable skills--those that you learned somewhere along the way that could be useful to an employer; for example, customer service, sales, problem solving, etc.


• List any skills or personal characteristics you need to work on improving. List ways in which you can accomplish this; for example, take a class, attend a seminar, read a self-help book, etc.


• List specific achievements and positive results you have accomplished while on the job. Include specific amounts of money you saved the company or the percentage of increased sales you had.


• List at least six reasons why an employer would want to hire you over other job candidates. Give specific examples of your worth to an employer.


• Write down questions you think an employer might ask you and your answers to those questions.


• Make a list of people you can use as a reference to attest to your work history and personal attributes.


• Make a list of places where you can apply for a job.

Now that you have created these lists, use them in your job search.

Make Yourself Indispensable to Your Employer

Make yourself indispensable to your employer by going the extra mile. Take a tip from these tips:

• Volunteer to do something extra
• Be accountable for your actions
• Be flexible
• Show up for work everyday and be punctual
• Look for ways to save the company time and money
• Get along with coworkers, supervisors, and customers
• Do your best work; be quality conscious
• Avoid gossip and the rumor mill
• Ask, "How can I help?"

A little extra effort can go a long way towards boosting your career to the next level.

Give Employers What They Want

In keeping with the theme of getting a job, let's take a look at what employers want. Employers want to hire dependable, enthusiastic people who will give a full day's work. Here are some tips to convince an employer you are the right person for the job:

• Maintain a record of dependability and good attendance at your current job.
• Be able to convey your assets and accomplishments within a few minutes.
• Match your skills to the employer's needs.
• Research the company and be prepared to discuss your findings during the interview.
• Demonstrate your willingness to try new things.
• Practice time management and organizational skills.
• Maintain a positive attitude and demonstrate your willingness to get along with others.
• If you working in a multi-generational workplace, mention your ability to get along with people of all ages.
• Take an active part in your self-development through training and updating skills.
• Join a professional organization in your field.

Push yourself to the top of the competition by showing the employer you are the right person to hire.